Chapter 8, IKEA

"Arrogant? Hahaha... Let me show you what arrogance really is." Xue Yuan unexpectedly drew a riding whip and struck it towards Ye Tao.

Miss Zhuo only felt a wave of dizziness. "IKEA?" How could it be this?

"Uncle Liu, let's go take a look," Miss Zhuo instructed softly

Who! Who are you?!" Xue Yuan shouted angrily at Manager Liu, who had suddenly appeared and greatly embarrassed him

The Ye Family Workshop is located at the end of the Yongming Canal, nestled within a grove. The Yongming Canal is excavated from the Luo River, traversing Yicheng, and flows into the tributary Qingpu River before reaching the sea. Due to the presence of lacquer craftsmen at the Ye Family Workshop, there is an inevitable risk of water pollution, but this location at the end of the Yongming Canal minimally impacts the drinking and washing water of the citizens of Yicheng. What was once a tranquil area has now turned into a hubbub. The 500 soldiers led by Xue Yuan, clad in cavalry armor but armed only with spears and lacking horses, have surrounded the Ye Family Workshop.

The general said, "I have a document." Xue Yuan immediately drew a letter from his armor and tremblingly presented it to Chief Liu

Manager Liu made a gesture, and the carriage immediately moved forward. This time, Miss Zhuo did not refuse and allowed her maid, Sisi, to assist her onto the carriage

Almost immediately noticing that Miss Zhuo was somewhat unwell, Chief Steward Liu extended his energy behind her, gently supporting her frail body. The maid, Si Si, also quickly sensed something was amiss and supported Miss Zhuo, asking with concern: "Miss, are you alright"

Miss, why don't I go over and take a look? As long as we don't let Xue Yuan go too far, you should go to the Xunfeng Pavilion to rest first" Chief Steward Liu advised

Hmph. Manager Liu let out a heavy snort. The Beining Pass needs to come to Yicheng to manufacture defensive equipment? Now that is truly a joke

Peng Detian, the governor of Yicheng, is merely a third-rank civil official, while Xue Yuan holds the position of a third-rank military official. In Dongping State, under circumstances involving military affairs, civil officials of the same rank are considered one rank lower than their military counterparts. Xue Yuan firmly clung to the term 'military affairs,' leaving Peng Detian infuriated yet utterly powerless.

At this moment, Xue Yuan's expression changed. Previously, it could be said that Manager Liu had launched a surprise attack, and after all, he had not used his full strength when striking with the horsewhip, so it was acceptable to have the whip taken away. However, the move displayed by Manager Liu now was somewhat intimidating.

"It's nothing, I won't get out of the car. I find it annoying in crowded places. However, the Ye family probably won't be able to help even if they wanted to." Miss Zhuo's last statement was not fully understood by Manager Liu. However, he knew that since Miss Zhuo had made up her mind, any persuasion would be futile.

The Ink Jade Tiger Talisman! Is it really the Ink Jade Tiger Talisman!

My young lady is traveling, and what I fear most is the harassment from bandits and soldiers, which is why I borrowed this item for protection from my elders. Xue Yuan, can I inquire about military matters?" Chief Liu said with a cold snort

I ask you. What should be done about the border guards who, without the Ministry of War's documents, have left their post by 100 li?" Chief Liu questioned.

"Master Steward." The maid Sisi hurried over, holding a sandalwood box, and presented it with both hands to Steward Liu before quickly returning to the carriage. Steward Liu received the box with both hands, respectfully opened the lid, took out the contents, and held it up in the air

Xue Yuan did not dare to speak

Who are you, Your Excellency? Given your abilities, I presume you are not an unknown figure. Do you not think you are meddling too much in the affairs of my Northern Ningguan army? At this moment, Xue Yuan felt somewhat fierce on the outside but timid on the inside

"No need, just ask while going over there. Let Lu Dan and the others play a bit longer, just don't forget about my matters," Miss Zhuo said understandingly

The general could not act rashly... Xue Yuan's mind raced, but the current situation left him no room for further ideas

"Document? I, Xue Yuan, am issuing a command document. Clear out the workshop for me. Can you bear the consequences of delaying military affairs?" Xue Yuan said arrogantly.

"You are the border troops, and the Yibei Water Army of the Yicheng General's Office is also border troops. Why does the Yibei Water Army have to go through formal procedures with official documents just to send the crossbow carts here, while you can requisition my Ye family's workshop with just a word? Don't you think that is too overbearing?" Although Ye Tao is young, he does not back down at all

"Miss, is this where we go to the Xunfeng Pavilion?" Chief Steward Liu inquired, "I will have someone call the waiter to guide you there right away"

"General Xue, you have gone too far," Manager Liu said淡淡地. Manager Liu glanced at Ye Tao; although the riding whip had nearly struck him moments ago, he remained calm and composed, showing no signs of fear. Manager Liu couldn't help but nod inwardly, then turned his attention to the arrogant Xue Yuan before him

Miss Zhuo shook her head, as if trying to shake something out of her mind. She frowned and said softly, "It's nothing, just a bit tired"

"Kongtianqi, lead the way ahead," Manager Liu commanded

"How many military orders have you violated? You don't need me to teach you. Submit your letter of apology to the Ministry of War within five days," Chief Liu said emphatically, word by word. "Now, get out of my sight."

The black jade tiger talisman is a token for mobilizing the imperial guards, representing the utmost trust of the ruler of Dongping. Bestowing the black jade tiger talisman upon an individual is almost tantamount to the king entrusting his life to that person. Holding the black jade tiger talisman not only allows one to mobilize the imperial guards but also to inquire about military affairs across the realm. Although Dongping currently occupies only a small corner, its national strength is quite formidable, and the authority to inquire about military affairs across the realm is indeed astonishingly great

The sound of Manager Liu's response still lingered in the air, yet he had already dashed out like a flash of lightning. Xue Yuan's hand had swung down, but in that split second, the riding whip was snatched away by Manager Liu.

"You are instructed to procure 500 military horses in Yicheng for equipping two cavalry units. Are you also tasked with manufacturing military equipment?" Manager Liu unfolded the document, glanced at it, and his tone grew even colder.

Uncle Liu! Miss Zhuo, who had been pulling the curtain open a little, said anxiously.

Xue Yuan responded with "Yes" and immediately took all his men away. The body of the soldier who had just been killed by Chief Steward Liu was also swiftly collected and taken away.

Behind Xue Yuan, a soldier quickly seized the opportunity, seeing the beautiful and luxurious carriage parked by the roadside. He stepped forward and shouted: "Just a servant, what are you showing off in front of our general? Bring your young lady out so everyone can have a look. Perhaps if she follows our general, she will have a good life."

"General Xue, this is Yicheng, not Beining Pass. You have neither a formal order for requisitioning my family's workshop, nor does the Ye family fall under your jurisdiction. I cannot comply with this order at all," Ye Tao said loudly.

The people of the Ye Workshop showed no signs of retreat, having set up barricades with siege vehicles and crossbows on the only wide road leading to the workshop. It was clear that they were prepared to fight to the death should Xue Yuan's forces dare to attack. The 200 cavalrymen brought by Governor Peng Detian stood in formation to one side, their weapons pointed toward the ground. At the intersection, Xue Yuan rode back and forth on his horse, drawing circles and strategizing, while Peng Detian stood to the side, his face flushed with anger. On the other side was Du Fengchi, whom they had seen earlier, surrounded by several distinctive middle-aged and young men, all gathered around a handsome youth who appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, likely Ye Tao or Ye Canghuai.

Manager Liu immediately instructed a guard to lead the way ahead, allowing the carriage to proceed slowly. Before long, Hangtianqi suddenly returned. He bent down from his horse and said to Manager Liu: "I have inquired clearly. General Xue from Beining Pass, Xue Yuan, has surrounded the Ye family workshop with 500 soldiers, demanding that they cease operations and vacate the workshop for military craftsmen to manufacture city defense equipment. The Ye family refuses, and the two sides are in a standoff. When I was coming back, Governor Peng had already arrived with troops. General Xue's son, Xue Yuan, is insisting that his rank is higher than Governor Peng's and is there cursing people."

As soon as the ink jade tiger talisman was revealed, the entire audience gasped in shock. Xue Yuan jumped off his horse and knelt on the ground, and the 500 soldiers under his command also bowed down. On the governor's side, starting with Peng Detian, even 200 cavalrymen immediately dismounted and knelt in submission, not daring to move an inch. However, Ye Tao, Du Fengchi, and others, who had never seen such an object before, stood there in a daze for a while, and only when they realized the situation was dire did they reluctantly kneel down. This scene caused Miss Zhuo, who was hiding in the carriage, to chuckle quietly.

Manager Liu's left foot hooked over a stone and with a flick, it crashed down onto the chest of that soldier. The soldier immediately flew backward, spitting out two mouthfuls of fresh blood, and it seemed he would not survive.